Pride Radio: Clear Channel’s New Gay Talk Show
By Mark Mariucci
For several decades the ability to see that “gay sensibility” in mass media has been evolving.  It started with gay characters in the movies, then movies with a gay theme. We all know about the Will and Grace sitcom and Showtime’s Queer as Folk.  Recently two U.S. cable channels devoted to LGBT tastes: LOGO and here! took flight. Now there is Pride Radio with Ryan and Caroline.  Imagine Will and Grace if they did a morning radio talk show.  Yeah, it’s something like that, but its real!
  Pride Radio is America’s first nationally syndicated radio talk show targeted to the LGBT community is an innovative radio talk show formatted for FM stations across America, featuring interviews with celebrities, music artists, fashion gurus, travel experts, authors; gossip from leading Hollywood correspondents; coverage of entertainment and topical news, movie reviews, and lifestyle trends. Listeners can also call in to share their coming out stories.
  I had the opportunity to meet up with Ryan at a Caribou Coffee in Mequon just before Thanksgiving while he was home for the holiday. It’s easy to see how Ryan’s infectious upbeat personality translates so well to a fun radio show format.  It’s not all fluff and nonsense either.  Both co-hosts are well heeled in the media world working in Chicago and New York for several years.
  Real-life best friends, Ryan Jay and Caroline Hand met as producers at the music television channel, VH-1.  Collectively, they have produced for Bravo, MTV, Showtime and The Jerry Springer Show. They also produce the movie review blog, www.WeSeeMovies.com.  The popular blog brought them to the attention of Cohen, who felt the pair’s chemistry and and quirkiness was suitable for the new LGBT radio show he was developing.   Clear Channel announced the deal this past fall.
  “The time feels right to launch a radio program for our community and those who support us,” Ryan told Jimmy Newsum in a recent interview.  He noted being inspired by today’s generation of gay men and women who are coming out earlier than ever before.
  Ryan waited until after college to come out, “because at the time, there was no programming that spoke to me as a gay man.  This was before Bravo’s Queer Eye for the Straight Guy and Showtime’s Queer As Folk.  If I had found a radio show that validated my feelings, I would have busted out of that closet a lot sooner!”  Don’t feel too sorry for him though guys, Ryan did most of his coming out in Chicago. ‘Nuff said.
  Not everyone on the show is gay, according to Caroline Hand, the “Grace” sidekick to Ryan Jay’s “Will” on Pride Radio. The pair embraces their sitcom label. They are even introduced on the show as radio’s Will & Grace.
  Caroline claims to be the token straight girl, but Hand’s role is more instrumental than she says.  “Women and gay men often share the same perspective and sharing the co-host responsibilities widens the audience to both gays and straights,” Newsum noted in his interview.
  A recent feature in Red, a Phoenix, AZ-based magazine noted the show has more than just a gay following.  In fact it is embraced by a large part of the mainstream listening audience.  “It just goes to show you entertainment is a two way street,” Ryan said. “Just as the gay community embraces movies and shows with heterosexual themes, our show appeals to everyone who appreciates great entertainment.”
  Listeners can find Clear Channel’s Pride Radio in 20 markets including Madison.  There are at least 5 regular FM stations and the rest are carried on that new digital HD Radio.  By checking www.ryanandcaroline.com I saw the duo are on WXXM in Madison and WKSC in Chicago.  The show is taped in New York City at Premiere Studios, above Radio City Music Hall.
  Unfortunately the show isn’t carried in Ryan’s home town market, Milwaukee.  It may take Quest readers and others calling or emailing WKTI or another station to get that done.  Until then Milwaukee listeners with access to a Windows computer can check the website and even listen to some of the shows archived on the site.  Sorry, Macintosh users (like me): Windows DRM is used by Clear Channel, so we get to wait.
  If you are into movies then you should also check out www.WeSeeMovies.com.  This blog will keep you up to date about what’s good to watch.  Believe me, they seem to know about everything coming out!
     We have promised Ryan and Caroline the cover in January’s Outbound Magazine.  Ryan tells me he may have some new developments to share with us then.